Learn more about MDHS

The Muskogee Difference Healthcare Scholarship is designed to alleviate the financial burden of undergraduate students who are currently admitted and enrolled in Connors State College Nursing and Allied Health programs (AS Pre-Nursing, AAS Nursing, AS Biological Science-Pre-med, AS Biological Science-Allied Health or an approved CSC/ICTC Cooperative Alliance Degree Program). Students who receive the MDHS will be required to sign a commitment to work as a healthcare professional in the Muskogee service area for two years following graduation if employment is available.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The Muskogee Difference Healthcare Scholarship is intended to provide the needed funding to fill the “gap” between a student’s financial aid and cost of attendance.* This scholarship has been created to pay the balance remaining after all federal, state and private funding has been applied to qualified expenses. The overall goal for the Muskogee Difference Healthcare Scholarship is to assist students in obtaining a degree in an allied healthcare field at no cost to the student. All scholarship applicants must apply for FAFSA and complete all FAFSA requirements in order to be considered. This scholarship is intended to assist students in the Muskogee service area (see eligibility and attached map). Financial Aid funds will be applied to the student’s account in the below outlined order as funds are available.

PELL

SEOG

OTAG

OHLAP

Outside Scholarships

Tribal Grants & Scholarships

CSC Scholarship (up to $1,000.00 per year)

Muskogee Difference Healthcare Scholarship

Student Loans

*Cost of attendance includes full tuition, fees, and books as funds are available. Developmental

courses are not eligible under the MDHS.

ELIGIBILITY

The Muskogee Difference Healthcare Scholarship is available to residents of the primary Muskogee service area (see attached map). Verification of residency will be required (see requirements below). All applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents, meet the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education requirements for residency and be admitted into Connors State College with a declared major in either Nursing or Allied Health Sciences.

Students who reside within the primary Muskogee service area (see attached map) must be able to provide proof of residency.

Incoming freshman with a high school diploma or equivalent and an ACT composite score of 19 or above, or

Returning Connors State College students in Nursing or Allied Health programs with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, or

Transfer students with a minimum GPA of 2.0 who are in good academic standing according to the Connors State College Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy.

REQUIREMENTS

Students must be admitted and enrolled in an approved course schedule with a declared major in either the Nursing or Allied Health Science Programs.

Completed MDHS Application submitted each semester.

Recipient must sign a two-year Commitment to Work Agreement. Recipient must serve a two-year period of work as a healthcare professional within the Muskogee service area.

Provide copy of Oklahoma Driver’s License and copy of utility bill with address matching drivers license or other proof of residency, students name and permanent address to establish proof of residency in the Muskogee service area each application deadline.

Maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA in required degree courses.

Remain continuously enrolled as a full time student at Connors State College. (Students who break full-time enrollment are eligible to reapply as a returning student.)

Maintain good academic standing according to the Connors State College SAP Policy.

Complete at least 67% of attempted coursework each fall and spring semester for a maximum of 6 semesters (not including summer semesters).